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Peter Marshall / Demotix Images
Peter Marshall / Demotix Images

Trade union rights are human rights

Trade unionists are far too often subject to attacks by repressive governments. Every year, many are subjected to violence, arrest and imprisonment, torture and even murder. Trade union leaders in education are targeted by non-democratic governments who seek total control of education, and deny teachers and education support personnel their rights.

Even in democratic countries, many education workers are denied the right to join unions and/or engage in collective bargaining. Where bargaining exists, limits on its scope can be imposed. Moreover, teachers and education support personnel are denied the right to strike.

Education International also supports the right of students to organise and join the fight for more inclusive and democratic communities.

Working closely with our member organisations, other global unions and human rights networks, we use supervisory mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels to ensure rights and standards are respected and social dialogue is effective.

Solidarity actions among our global membership are a powerful tool to advance rights everywhere.

Our work in this area

  1. News 3 September 2020

    Korea: Supreme Court annuls decision to delegalise union

    The decision to delegalise the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) has been annulled by the Supreme Court of Korea. The government had ordered the delegalisation of the organisation in 2013.

    Korea: Supreme Court annuls decision to delegalise union
  2. News 31 August 2020

    Belarus: Condemnation of violence against peaceful protesters

    Education International’s European office, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), strongly denounces the violence used by the Belarussian authorities towards the peaceful protesters across the country.

    Belarus: Condemnation of violence against peaceful protesters
  3. News 24 August 2020

    Canada: a safe and sustainable return to public schools

    The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) stressed that all necessary protections need to be put in place to open public schools safely. The fact that those measures have not yet been taken, in large part due to inadequate resources and social dialogue, means that a long-term strategy is required if reopening...

    Canada: a safe and sustainable return to public schools
  4. Worlds of Education 21 August 2020

    A question in the wilderness, by Joseph Jovellanos.

    Joseph V. Jovellanos

    A story was once told that after WWII, the then Emperor Hirohito of Japan called one of his soldiers and asked the question: “How many teachers survived?” This question is an acknowledgment by the emperor of the crucial role of teachers in building or re-building a nation. Without teachers, a...

    A question in the wilderness, by Joseph Jovellanos.
  5. News 19 August 2020

    Benin: joint action by education unions on COVID-19 prevention along with inclusive education and boosting union leadership role

    Two unions from Benin affiliated to Education International have decided to join forces to raise awareness among their members on prevention and protection against COVID-19 and on inclusive education and building the role of union leadership within the context of the pandemic in public sector nursery and primary schools. For...

    Benin: joint action by education unions on COVID-19 prevention along with inclusive education and boosting union leadership role
  6. News 18 August 2020

    Philippines: Global education union movement calls for justice for murdered colleague

    Education International is outraged by the killing of education unionist Zara Alvarez in the Philippines. The global union federation support its national affiliate, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines (ACT), in its demands for justice for the murdered human rights activist.

    Philippines: Global education union movement calls for justice for murdered colleague
  7. News 18 August 2020

    Kenya Parliament directs Teachers’ Service Commission to address KNUT concerns

    After a long and devastating conflict in which trade union rights were violated and the existence of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) was threatened, the Education Committee of the Parliament of Kenya has proposed a series of steps to resolve the dispute. The proposal is aimed at reversing...

    Kenya Parliament directs Teachers’ Service Commission to address KNUT concerns
  8. News 18 August 2020

    Canada: Education union provides resource on trauma-informed teaching and learning

    The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) has published a resource on trauma-informed teaching and learning (TITAL) to be used by its affiliates and educators around Canada. The resource will help to provide children with quality education when schools reopen.

    Canada: Education union provides resource on trauma-informed teaching and learning
  9. News 14 August 2020

    Mexico: Union campaign focuses on students affected by the pandemic

    Mexican education unionists are launching a campaign so that teachers reconnect with students who dropped out of school during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign also aims to help prevent students from leaving school because of the public health crisis.

    Mexico: Union campaign focuses on students affected by the pandemic
  10. News 12 August 2020

    Jordan: Take action for the immediate release of education union leaders

    Education International has launched an online petition in support of the imprisoned leaders of the Jordanian Teachers’ Association (JTA) and to guarantee the exercise of the fundamental rights of teachers and education workers in Jordan.

    Jordan: Take action for the immediate release of education union leaders
  11. News 12 August 2020

    Switzerland: Education unions join forces for safe return to schools and quality education

    In Switzerland, two affiliates of Education International have urged political and education decision-makers to approve the financial and human resources required to implement vital measures in schools, such as the introduction of health protection officers.

    Switzerland: Education unions join forces for safe return to schools and quality education